Pauline Hanson's 1996 maiden speech

This speech by Pauline Hanson, Independent member for Oxley Queensland, caused a political, media and public sensation. Pauline Hanson later became leader of the One Nation Party, 1997-2004.

The speech engendered both support and outrage for her statements about migrants, multiculturalism, Aboriginal Australians and national identity. It raised questions about notions of political correctness, what it means to be Australian and wedge politics.

What did you think of Pauline Hanson’s speech?How did it make you feel as a Indigenous Australian or a recent migrant? Do you agree with some of her thoughts?

It is a pity that more of Pauline Hanson’s views have not been incorporated into mainstream Australian politics. -- Maurie Pegrum, 2006

Pauline Hanson's speech makes me feel so ashamed and disgusted at how ignorant and unintelligent she, and other Australian's who support her, are. There is blatant hypocrisy in her statement 'I should be allowed to choose who comes into my country'... did the Aboriginal Australians she so vehemently berates have this choice?!! -- Jess Pike, 2010

To share your response use the Comments Box at the bottom of this page. Selected written responses will be shown on our website and may be chosen to be shown in the exhibition.

Comments (7)

Unfortunately this attitude is shared by many Anglo-Celtic Australians who deny the violence of colonial settler history in this country. They deny that Aboriginal people have been dispossessed of their land and the associated trauma which still affects the lives of many today. While it is true that the agricultural and industrial industries in Australia were forged by the hard work of early settler families, Ms Hanson also denies the many Aboriginal, Chinese, Lebanese, Italian and Greek families who also contributed to the growth of this country. We are a free and compassionate people. We believe in equality for all and the right to a 'fair go'. We have no room in this country for such appalling racism.

What a disgrace! Rude, ignorant and arrogant. If you are tired of being reminded of "something which happened 200 years ago" - how do you think indigenous people feel having to hear your self interested complaints over and over again - when they continue to be persecuted by racists like you to this day?!

I believe that Pauline Hanson has a distinctive point. As a young member of Australian society I am repetitively informed about the equality we strive for as a nation but I am somehow oblivious to the equality being demonstrated. Pauline Hanson is not a racist; she is merely a democrat who is voicing the opinion of a large mass of the Australian opinion.
As I am of youth many shall respond to my comment with statements of my ignorance and inability to recognise the wrong-doings of my ancestors but that is simply a misinterpretation of the meaning behind my words. I currently attend a highly indigenous populated school and have gained Indigenous friends along the way. Henceforth, I am not racist for I respect the multicultural aspect that is Australian society today but I ask you to consider the following. Is it right to teach a child the same segment of Australian history for thirteen years of their life? Is it not enough to inform a child of these events within the span of one or two years where they are of a mature age? I was not alive for these tragic events of our history and I shall forever remain respectful of the Indigenous who were affected but I will not be forced to apologise for the entirety of my life for something that will never be forgive, nor do I need my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren so on a so forth to be punished and forced to apologise. Degrade me as you wish and taunt my up-bringing but I stand by my point. I will not devote my life to a crime I did not commit, I will shamelessly recognise the evil my ancestors commit but I will not harbour that evil and be demonised by the colour of my skin. I could speak of the unjust benefits the indigenous receive, the inequitble social standings that place anglo-celctic persons below the majority and how I have had to face my own racist battles because of my skin colour but nobody would listen for I am just a child with no idea of how the world works aren't I? Think again for I am part of the generation that is going to be controlling this country one day and you'll finally see how much the dynamics have changed. Indigenous children and non-indigenous children have learnt to work as one. Its time for the adults to play the game that is equality and practice what they preach.